Neuroprotective role of Tinospora cordifolia extract in streptozotocin induced neuropathic pain

Abstract Diabetic Neuropathy (DN) is one of the prevailing micro vascular complications of diabetes which can be characterized by neuropathic pain. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in the rat has been increasingly used as a model of painful diabetic neuropathy. STZ injection leads to neurotoxicity of peripheral nerves that leads to development of Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy in rat model. The present study was aimed at exploring the protective role of Tinospora cordifolia extract in STZ induced neurotoxicity and evaluating mechanisms responsible for attenuating neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain markers like hyperalgesia, allodynia and motor deficits were assessed before STZ injection and after the treatment with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg dose of Tinospora cordifolia. Oxidative stress markers, NGF expression in sciatic nerve were observed after seven weeks treatment. Our results demonstrated that seven weeks treatment with Tinospora cordifolia leaf extract significantly relieved thermal hyperalgesia and allodynia by increasing the antioxidant enzyme levels, decreasing the lipid peroxidation and by increasing the Nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in diabetic rat sciatic nerves. Our findings highlighted the beneficial effects of oral administration of Tinospora cordifolia extract in attenuating diabetic neuropathic pain, possibly through a strong antioxidant activity and by inducing NGF m RNA in sciatic nerves.

Effect of electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) on duodenal mast cells, NGF and NTRK1 in rats with functional dyspepsia / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST 36) on duodenal mast cells, nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 1 (NTRK1), and to explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) on functional dyspepsia (FD).@*METHODS@#Sixty SPF-grade 10-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a ketotifen group and an EA group, 15 rats in each group. The FD model was prepared by iodoacetamide combined with rat tail clamping method in the model group, the ketotifen group and the EA group. The rats in the ketotifen group were injected intraperitoneally with ketotifen (1 mg•kg-1•d-1) for 7 days; the rats in the EA group were treated with EA at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), with disperse-dense wave, frequency of 2 Hz/50 Hz and intensity of 0.5 mA, 20 min each time, once a day for 14 days. The gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate in each group were observed; the morphology of duodenal mucosa was observed by HE staining; the toluidine blue staining was used to observe the number and degranulation of mast cells in duodenal mucosa; the protein and mRNA expressions of NGF, NTRK1 in duodenum were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR; the level of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in duodenum was measured by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal group, the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate in the model group were decreased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate in the ketotifen group and the EA group were increased (P<0.01); the small intestinal propulsion rate in the EA group was higher than that in the ketotifen group (P<0.01). In the model group, local defects in duodenal mucosa were observed with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration; no obvious abnormality was found in duodenal mucosa of the other groups. Compared with the normal group, the mast cells of duodenal mucosa in the model group were increased significantly with significant degranulation; compared with the model group, the mast cells of duodenal mucosa in the ketotifen group and the EA group were decreased significantly, and the degranulation was not obvious. Compared with the normal group, the protein and mRNA expressions of NGF, NTRK1 as well as the level of IL-1β in duodenum in the model group were increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the protein and mRNA expressions of NGF, NTRK1 as well as the levels of IL-1β in duodenum in the ketotifen group and the EA group were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05); compared with the ketotifen group, the mRNA expression of NGF, as well as the protein and mRNA expressions of NTRK1 in duodenum in the EA group were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36) could inhibit the activation of duodenal mast cells and regulate the expressions of NGF and its receptor to improve the low-grade inflammatory response of duodenum, resulting in treatment effect on FD.

Effect of electroacupuncture on expressions of Gas7 and NGF in arcular nucleus of rats with focal cerebral ischemia / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expressions of growth arrest-specific protein 7 (Gas7) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in arcuate nucleus (ARC) of rats with focal cerebral ischemia and explore the potential action mechanism of EA in treatment of focal cerebral ischemia.@*METHODS@#A total of 50 SD rats were randomized into 4 groups, named a normal group ( =12), a sham-operation group ( =12), a model group ( =14) and an EA group ( =12). In the model group and the EA group, the thread embolization method was adopted to duplicate the model of the right middle cerebral arterial embolism. In the sham-operation group, the skin of the neck was opened and sutured without any other intervention. In the EA group, EA was applied to "Baihui" (CV 20) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) on the left side, once a day, 30 min each time, consecutively for 21 days, while there was no any intervention in the normal group, the sham-operation group and the model group. Using the immunohistochemistry (IHC) method and Western blot method, the expressions of Gas7 and NFG of ARC on the ischemic side were determined. Using Nissle staining, the morphological changes in ARC neurons were observed.@*RESULTS@#The results of Nissle staining showed that there was no significant change in the morphology of ARC neurons in the normal group and the sham-operation group. In the model group, the volume of neuron cells was atrophied obviously and the cells were arranged irregularly. In the EA group, the morphology of ARC neuron was similar to the normal group. The results of IHC and Western blot indicated that the expressions of immunoreactive neurons and protein of Gas7 and NGF in ARC of the rats in the model group were increased obviously as compared with the normal group and the sham-operation group and the expressions in the EA group were further enhanced as compared with the model group (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Gas7 and NGF may be participated in the compensatory process of partial protection of the body in the patients with focal cerebral ischemia. EA up-regulates the expressions of Gas7 and NGF in ARC, which may be one of the neuroprotective mechanisms of EA in treatment of cerebral ischemia.

Study of acupuncture combined with rat nerve growth factor on neurobehavioral ability of cerebral palsy infant rats and its brain tissue growth and metabolism associated proteins / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of acupuncture combined with rat nerve growth factor (NGF) on the cerebral palsy infant rats and the proteins which associated with growth, apoptosis and metabolism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy infant rats were selected, Fifty infant rats of which were made the cerebral palsy infant model by the ligation of unilateral carotid artery for cerebral ischemia and oxygen-deficient environment, then the 30 model rats were randomly divided into a model group, a NGF group and a combined group, 10 rats in each group. Twenty infant rats were used in the sham-operated group and the blank control group, 10 rats in each group. The treatment was not given in the blank control group. The rats in the sham-operated group were cut the neck skin and separated the left carotid artery, and then sutured and disinfected the wound. The intraperitoneal injection of NGF (2000 U•kg•d) was used in the NGF group. Based on the injection in the NGF group, acupuncture was used in the combined group, once a day, and the acupoints were "Baihui" (GV 20), left "nieⅠ" (extra), "Dazhui" (GV 14), "Jizhong" (extra), "Quchi" (LI 11), "Yongquan" (KI 1), "Hegu" (LI 4), "Zhoujie" (extra) and "Xiqianxue" (extra). The same volume of saline was intraperitoneally injected in the model group for continuous 14 days. Neurobehavioral ability score was evaluated after treatment. TUNEL were conducted to detect the brain cell apoptosis rate and the expressions of apoptosis associated gene Bax, Bcl-2 and Casp3 were detected by PCR. The level of nerve growth associated protein (GAP-43) and energy metabolism-related protein monocarboxylate transporter protien 1(MCT 1) were detected by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After intervention, the neurobehavioral ability of baby rats in the blank control and sham-operated group was normal, but there was various degrees of abnormity in the model group, NGF group and combined group. The scores of neurobehavioral ability of the combined group and NGF group were better than those of the model control (all <0.05), and the scores in the combined group was better than those in the NGF group (all <0.05). The left brain cell apoptosis rate, expressions of Bax and Casp3 in the combined group and NGF group were lower and the expressions of Bcl-2 were higher than those of the model group (all <0.05), with more obvious results of Bax and Gasp3 in the combined group than those in the NGF group (all <0.05). The protein levels of GAP-43 and MCT 1 in the combined group and NGF group were higher than those in the model group (all <0.05), with higher expressions in the combined group compared with those in the NGF group (both <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture combined with NGF could improve the neurobehavioral ability of cerebral palsy infant rats, inhibit the nerve cell apoptosis and improve the brain tissue injure and energy metabolism by up-regulating the expressions of GAP-43 and MCT 1.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture at "Changqiang" (GV 1) on expression of nerve growth factor and brain derived neurotrophic factor in rats after acute spinal cord injury / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at"Changqiang"(GV 1) on expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rats after acute spinal cord injury (ASCI), and to explore the mechanism of EA at"Changqiang"(GV 1) on ASCI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four adult female SD rats were randomly divided into an EA group, a model group and a sham operation group, 8 rats in each one. The rats in the sham operation group were treated with laminectomy to expose the spinal cord without any strike. The rats in the model group and EA group were treated with modified Allen's method to establish ASCI model. After model was established, the rats in the EA group were treated with EA at"Changqiang"(GV 1), once a day for continuous 7 days. The rats in the sham operation group and model group were treated with immobilization, once a day, without any other interventions. The basso beattie bresnahan (BBB) was evaluated 1, 3, 5, 7 days after operation. 7 days after operation, the rats were sacrificed with perfusion and the spinal cord was embedded with paraffin. The morphological changes of spinal cord and neuron were observed by Nissl's staining method; the expressions of NGF and BDNF were detected by immune fluorescence method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>3 days, 5 days and 7 days after operation, the BBB scores in the EA group were higher than those in the model group (<0.05, <0.01). The Nissl's staining indicated the gray matter of spinal cord was butterfly-shaped with complete structure and clear boundaries between the gray and white matter; the tabby-shaped Nissl bodies were observed in cytoplasm. There were incomplete gray nucleus, big and saturate local stasis plaque. Compared with the model group, the smallerarea of blood stasis, less severity of neuron edema, better morphology of neuron and no vacuole change were observed in the EA group. The immune fluorescence results indicated the expressions of NGF and BDNF in the model group and EA group were higher than those in the sham operation group (all <0.01); the expressions of NGF and BDNF in the EA group were higher than those in the model group (both <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA at"Changqiang"(GV 1) could improve the expression of NGF and BDNF and increase the score of BBB in rats with ASCI, which is beneficial to the repair of ASCI.</p>

Effects of aripiprazole on clinical symptoms and serum neurotrophic factor levels in patients with schizophrenia / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To explore the effects of aripiprazole on clinical symptoms and neurotrophic factor levels in patients with schizophrenia. Methods Forty patients with schizophrenia and 40 normal controls were included in the study. The clinical symptoms of patients receiving aripiprazole only for 12 weeks were evaluated by using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT), Continuous Performance Test, Digit-Symbol Coding Test and Trail Making Test-A were used to evaluate the cognitive function both in patients and controls. Serum levels of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results The clinical scores, cognitive function and levels of neurotrophic factors were different before and after treatment (P<0.01). And those were significantly lower in patients than in control group (P<0.05). Before treatment, BDNF was negatively correlated with PANSS negative symptom score (r=-0.362, P=0.022);NGF was related to the total score of PANSS (r=0.332, P=0.037) and positive symptoms (r=0.401, P=0.010); NT-3 was associated with negative symptom scores (r=-0.376, P=0.017) and SCWT-color words (r=0.332, P=0.037) in patient group. After treatment, the increase in BDNF was correlated with the reduction in PANSS total score (r=0.371, P=0.018), negative symptom score (r=0.345, P=0.029) and general pathology score (r=0.342, P=0.031). There was a correlation of the increase of NGF with the decrease of PANSS total scores (r=0.437, P=0.005) and with positive symptom scores (r=0.357, P=0.024). Conclusion Treatment with Aripiprazole can improve the clinical symptoms and cognitive functiona impairments in patients with schizophrenia, which may be related to the increase in serum levels of BDNF, NGF and NT-3.

The effects of BMP9 combined with NGF on the osteogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of BMP9 combined with NGF on the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs).Methods:Recombinant BMP9 adenovirus was transfected into C3H10T1/2 cells.The cells were treated by GFP,NGF,BMP9 and BMP9 + NGF respectively.The expression level of COL1,RUNX2 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot,ALP activity was examined by ALP kit 3,12,24,48 hours,3 and 7 days after treatment,respectively.Results:The ALP activity of BMP9 + NGF group was the highest among the 4 groups.The difference in the groups firstly appeared at 3 h after treatment.The highest expression level of RUNX2 and COL1 was detected in BMP9 + NGF group.Conclusion:NGF and BMP9 may synergisticly promote osteogenic differentiation at the early stage of osteogenic induction of C3H10T1/2 cells.

Neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ) on vascular dementia in rats / 药物评价研究

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ) on vascular dementia in rats.Method The rat vascular dementia model was prepared using an improved two-vessel occlusion method,and the common carotid artery was only isolated but not blocked in sham group.Rats were randomly divided into sham group,model group,Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ) groups with low,medium and high dose (5,10,20 mg/kg) and Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate Injection group (Cerebrolysin,Positive drug,10 mg/kg).The drug was administered by iv injection of rat tail vein once a day for two weeks,while the same volume of saline was administered in sham and model group.At the end of administration,the plasma was collected through abdominal aorta to separate serum,and rat cortex was isolated to prepare homogenate.The levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) in serum and level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in cortex were detected by ELISA.Level of glutamate (Glu) in cortex of VaD rats was detected by colorimetry.Results Compared with model group,levels of NGF and IGF-2 in the serum of VaD rats and level of GABA in cortex were significantly increased,while level of Glu in cortex was significantly decreased after administration of Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ).The increased IGF-2 and GABA levels by Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ) were significantly higher than that of Cerebrolysin at same dose.Conclusion The mechanisms underlying the increased leaming and memory ability of VaD rats by Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ),are possibly related to the increased levels of NGF and IGF-2 in body and a regulation of the balance between excitatory and inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitters.

Neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ) on vascular dementia in rats / 药物评价研究

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ) on vascular dementia in rats.Method The rat vascular dementia model was prepared using an improved two-vessel occlusion method,and the common carotid artery was only isolated but not blocked in sham group.Rats were randomly divided into sham group,model group,Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ) groups with low,medium and high dose (5,10,20 mg/kg) and Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate Injection group (Cerebrolysin,Positive drug,10 mg/kg).The drug was administered by iv injection of rat tail vein once a day for two weeks,while the same volume of saline was administered in sham and model group.At the end of administration,the plasma was collected through abdominal aorta to separate serum,and rat cortex was isolated to prepare homogenate.The levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) in serum and level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in cortex were detected by ELISA.Level of glutamate (Glu) in cortex of VaD rats was detected by colorimetry.Results Compared with model group,levels of NGF and IGF-2 in the serum of VaD rats and level of GABA in cortex were significantly increased,while level of Glu in cortex was significantly decreased after administration of Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ).The increased IGF-2 and GABA levels by Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ) were significantly higher than that of Cerebrolysin at same dose.Conclusion The mechanisms underlying the increased leaming and memory ability of VaD rats by Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ),are possibly related to the increased levels of NGF and IGF-2 in body and a regulation of the balance between excitatory and inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitters.

Clincal effects of nerve growth factor gradient release system on treatment of peripheral nerve injuries / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To prepare nerve growth factor gradient release system,and explore the promotion of the clinical effects of peripheral nerve regeneration.Methods All 57 cases with peripheral nerve injuries were treated with emergency nerve repair from July 2010 to August 2012,a nerve repair,with meanwhile randomly were divided into group A (19 cases),group B (19 cases) and group C (19 cases).The NGF was used to partial release by using the homemade gradient release system in group A,the same amount of NGF was partial injeced to Gelatin sponge surrounding peripheral nerve in group B.The NGF wasn't injected in group C.All patients respectively underwent neurophysiological examination after 4 weeks and 8 weeks.Comparising with the somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and muscle action potential (MAP) between different groups,meanwhile analyzing nerve conduction velocity (NCV).The sensory and motor function evaluation score of BMRC were performed after 24 weeks.Results The peak latency of the SEP after 4 weeks in A,B and C groups were (34.80 ± 3.45) ms,(42.85 ± 2.58) ms,and (51.05 ±3.652) ms,respectively; the volatility were (10.673 ± 2.35) μV,(6.30 ± 1.22) μV,and (4.10 ±0.83) μV,the peak latency of the MAP after 4 weeks in A,B,C groups were(5.29 ±0.82) ms,(7.63 ± 1.35)ms,and (9.98 ± 1.15) ms,the volatility were (485.75 ±65.83) μV,(262.510 ±59.90) μV,and (185.64 ±38.35) μV,the NCV were (25.50 ±3.65) m/s,(19.80±2.35) m/s,and (15.50 ±2.61) m/s.The peak latency of the SEP after 8 weeks in A,B,C groups were (24.68 ±4.50) ms,(31.08 ±4.24) ms,and (39.25 ±4.83) ms,the volatility were (21.22 ± 4.63) μV,(13.68 ± 4.14) μV,and (8.90 ± 1.25) μV.The peak latency of the MAP after 8 weeks in A,B,C groups were (4.71 ±0.35) ms,(6.10±1.54) ms,and (8.86±0.75) ms,the volatility were (839.81 ± 111.07) μv,(512.25 ±46.82) μv,and (312.65 ±47.52) μv,the NCV were (26.24±3.22) m/s,(21.23 ±2.40) m/s,and (16.34 ±2.55) m/s.Compared with the group C,the peak latency of the SEP,MAP was shortened significantly and the Volatility was increased significantly in group A and B,the NCV was faster significantly in group A and B (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the group B,the peak latency of the SEP,MAP was shortened significantly and the Volatility was increased significantly in group A,the NCV was faster significantly in group A (P ＜ 0.05).The good rate of the A,B,C groups in BMRC sensory function score were 78.95％,63.15％ and 52.63％ respectively.The good rate in BMRC motor function score were 84.21％,68.42％and 47.37％ respectively.The group A and B were higher than group C,and the good rate of group A was higher than group B(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The nerve growth factor gradient release system is safe and effective for early treatment of peripheral nerve injuries.

Neural Mechanisms of Discogenic Back Pain: How Does Nerve Growth Factor Play a Key Role?

It was reported that nerve fibers were present in the inner part of lumbar intervertebral discs from patients with discogenic pain. Because there are no nerve fibers in the inner part of annulus fibrosus in normal condition, this finding suggests nerve ingrowth into the disc may be a cause of discogenic pain. Disc degeneration is often asymptomatic, thus, to understand the differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic disc, it is necessary to understand the pathogenesis of discogenic pain. We recently revealed that over 90% of the nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons innervating the disc are sensitive to nerve growth factor (NGF), which is related to inflammatory pain. This indicates that discogenic pain is closely related to inflammation and NGF may play a key role. The increase of inflammatory mediators in symptomatic discs has been reported; we therefore studied the effects of disc inflammation and found that it induces sensitization of disc-innervating neurons and nerve ingrowth into the disc. More recently, it was shown that annular rupture induces nerve ingrowth, an increase of inflammatory mediators in the disc, and upregulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide, a pain-related molecule in DRGs. These findings led us to believe that annular rupture triggers inflammation and nerve ingrowth, inflammatory mediators then further promote nerve ingrowth into the disc and sensitization of disc-innervating neurons, and discogenic pain finally becomes chronic. NGF, found in symptomatic discs, may act as a key factor in generating chronic discogenic pain by sensitizing disc-innervating neurons and stimulating nerve ingrowth into the disc.

Expression of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in Mouse Testes at Different Developmental Stages / 中国实验动物学报

Objective To study the location and the expression of nerve growth factor(NGF)in mouse testes at different developmental stages.Methods The testes were taken out from mice at different developmental stages,respectively.Parts of the testis tissue were used to extract total RNA and real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of NGF.The rest tissues were fixed and embedded in paraffin.SABC immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the location of NGF in the testes. Results Reat-time PCR results showed that NGF mRNA could be detected in the testes of mouse at postnatal 1 st week and its expression level increased with the development,and reached the highest point at 3rd week.After 5 weeks it lowered down to a stable level.Immunohistochemistry showed that NGF expressed in the mouse testes at all developmental stages.At postnatal 1 st week immunopositive reaction of NGF was detected mainly in sustentacular cells and the spermatogonia also showed positive staining.NGF positive staining in the testes was observed in interstitial cells,spermatogenetic cells,sustentacular cells and Leydig cells at 3rd week.After the postnatal 5th week,NGF-positive immunostaining was also detected in intersitial cells and spermatogenetic cells,but the intensity of reaction was weaker than that at 1 st and 3rd weeks.Conclusion The expression levels of NGF in mouse testes show regular changes and the expression profile and location of NGF in the testes are different at different developmental stages.

Effect of NGF on Cultured Human Retinal Capillary Endothelial Cells(HRCEC) / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective] To observe NGF on cultured human retinal vascular endothelial cells (HRCEC) proliferation. [Methods] The MTT assay was used to analyze the impact of culture HRCEC on different factors (NGF concentration groups, NGF + K252a concentration groups, bFGF group, bFGF + K252a groups, the normal culture medium groups) in normal and hypoxic condition. [Results] With the increase of NGF concentration (20,50,100 ng/mL), HRCEC significantly increased (normal condition: 0.254±0.033,0.696±0.029, 1.136±0.051; hypoxic condition: 0.422±0.036, 0.798±0.044, 1.376±0.052, P< 0.05). Compared NGF + K252a group with the same concentration of NGF (100 ng/ml) group, HRCEC reduced (P<0.05), with increasing the concentration of K252a (50,100,200 nmol/L), the trend of HRCEC decreasing is become more significant (normal condition:0.864±0.067, 0.496±0.025, 0.202±0.078; hypoxic condition:K252a 1.042±0.047,0.700±0.065, 0.401±0.078, P<0.05). [Conclusion] NGF can promote the proliferation of HRCEC, the effect could be specifically blocked by TrkA inhibitor K252a.

HCMV Infection Depress NGF Expression in Human Glioma Cells / 中国病毒学·英文版

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common cause of congenital infection, resulting in birth defects such as microcephaly. In this study, RT-PCR and Western Blotting were performed to quantify the regulation of endogenic nerve growth factor expression in neuroglia cells by HCMV infection. The results showed that basal, endogenous NGF expression in U251 was unchanged during early HCMV infection. NGF expression is strongly down-regulated during the latent phase of infection. These results suggest that HCMV can depress the NGF expression in U251 cells.

Effects of Tongxinluo on Nerve Growth Factor and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor after Cerebral Ischemia in Diabetic Rats / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To investigate the effects of Tongxinluo,a Chinese medicine,on neurological deficits,neuron apoptosis and the expression of nerve growth factor(NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) after cerebral ischemia in diabetic rats.Methods Wistar diabetic rats(n=36) were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion and randomly divided into 2 groups:control group(n=18) and Tongxinluo group(n=18).Tongxinluo group received Tongxinluo 1.0 g/kg·d after cerebral ischemia.Neurological severity scores,TUNEL staining and immunohistological assessments were performed to evaluate the effects.Results Compared with the control,the neurological score significantly improved(P<0.05),the expression of NGF and BDNF increased(P<0.05),and cell apoptosis decreased(P<0.05) in the tongxinluo group.Conclusion Tongxinluo can improve the neurological function through inhibition of neuron apoptosis and increasing the expression of NGF and BDNF after cerebral ischemia in diabetic rats.

Experimental Study of Nerve Growth Factor of Sciatic Nerve of Rats with Diabetes Peripheral Neuropathy Accommodated by Electro-acupuncture / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To explore the mechanism of the nerve growth factor (NGF) accommodated by electro-acupuncture in rats with diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN).MethodsThe rat DPN model was established with streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, western medicine group and electro-acupuncture group. The animals of the electrol-acupuncture group were treated with electrol-acupuncture on "Zusanli" and "Shenshu" after DPN model established. The nervous tissues of all animals were examined with the techniques of immunity and fluorescent quantitation PCR to detect the albumen and mRNA expression of NGF.ResultsThe albumen and mRNA expression of NGF of the animals in the model group, western medicine group and electro-acupuncture group were significantly lower than that in the normal group ( P<0.05～0.01), and the albumen and mRNA expression of NGF was up-regulation in the electro-acupuncture group after electro-acupuncture treatment and was significantly higher than that in the model group ( P<0.01).ConclusionElectro-acupuncture on "Zusanli" and "Shenshu" can up-regulate the albumen and mRNA expression of NGF, and improve reparation of the sciatic nerve in DPN animals.

Two-step Purification of Recombinant Human Beta Nerve Growth Factor(?-rhNGF) Secreted by CHO Cells with Chromatographic Method / 中国生物工程杂志

Nerve growth factor(NGF) was firstly discovered as a member of neurotrophin family,and the research and development of NGF has been lasting more than fifty years since its discovery.To this end,a two-step and high –yield chromatographic method which consists of cation ion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase chromatography was reported to isolate recombinant human beta nerve growth factor(? –NGF) secreted by constructed Chinese hamster ovary cells(CHO/dhfr-) from the culture media.Through the process of purification,the purity of protein which was determined by SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC has reached to 95%,and the recovery of ? –NGF routed by RP-HPLC could be 70%.Furthermore,the biological activity of final purified protein evaluated by PC12 cells and dorsal root ganglia(DRG) exhibited the same performance as the standard protein of ? –NGF bought from Sigma,which indicated that there is no loss of biological activity through the isolation process.The conclusion suggested that an economical isolation method of recombinant human ? –NGF could be practiced on the industrial process of purification.

Inhibition of caspase-12 expression by NGF in rabbit cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury / 基础医学与临床

Objective To observe the effect of NGF on the caspase-12 in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. MethodsTwenty-six healthy male white rabbits were randomly divided into sham, ischemia/reperfusion and NGF group. The tissues were sampled to detect the expression of caspase-12, caspase-3 by immunohistochemistry, and to detect the cerebral apoptosis by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining methods.Results Compared with sham group, the expression of caspase-12 and caspase-3 in I/R group was higher (P

Nerve Growth Factor Concentration and Implications in Photorefractive Keratectomy Versus Laser in Situ Keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To determine whether tear nerve growth factor (NGF) concentration correlates with corneal sensation and ocular surface dryness after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: A prospective, non-randomized comparative clinical trial. Seventy eyes of 35 patients and 76 eyes of 38 patients underwent PRK and LASIK procedures to correct myopia and myopic astigmatism, respectively. Total tear protein level, tear NGF concentration, corneal sensation, tear film break-up time (BUT) and Schirmer values were measured before and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the surgery. RESULTS: The postoperative mean tear NGF/total tear protein ratio (NGF/tP) increased in both PRK and LASIK patients compared to their preoperative levels (p<0.0001). At 1 week and 1 month postoperatively, the NGF/tP ratio was higher in PRK than in LASIK subjects (p<0.0001). Up to 6 months postoperatively, the mean corneal sensation after LASIK in the ablated zone was lower than the preoperative sensation (p<0.0001), whereas this was not the case in PRK subjects. Mean BUT and Schirmer values were significantly lower in LASIK-treated eyes compared to PRK-treated eyes up to 6 months postoperatively (p<0.0001). The early postoperative tear NGF/tP ratio correlated with the postoperative 6 month corneal sensation, BUT and Schirmer values. CONCLUSIONS: The difference in postoperative corneal sensation and ocular surface dryness between PRK- and LASIK-treated eyes was related to the difference in the early postoperative levels of NGF/tP, which implies NGF might influence corneal nerve regeneration after these two surgeries.

Effect of nerve growth factor gene injection on the nerve regeneration in rat lingual nerve crush-injury model